Libraries

Censorship - Political

A Guide to Finding Government and Legal Information

Web version of this guide includes links to web resources.

Search Tips:

Mix and match these terms in searching the library catalog, WestCat, or use them to search journal articles and law reviews via the library's Databases page. You can also use them to search government information sites listed on our Starting Points page - click the tab and pay particular attention to the Top Six.

censorship

Federal Communications Commission

freedom of speech

freedom of the press

freedom of expression

freedom of information

net neutrality

political aspects

mass media

Internet or social media

free speech zones

access control

first amendment

government property

war or revolution

art or music

religion or education

television or advertising

journalism or radio

bias

Related Topics:

Bill of Rights

Free Press

U.S. Constitution

An important source for many research topics is Congress. Congressional committees and subcommittees hold hearings on a wide variety of controversial and timely subjects. Simply add the word "hearing?" to a search string in WestCat.

Search Engines

Google and StartPage Use these search engines to search for government information by typing "site:gov" in the search box preceding your search terms:

site:gov "Freedom of Speech"

site:mil censorship

Law Review Articles and Annotations

Law reviews are an important resource for legal topics like this one. They can lead you to laws and cases as well as discuss legal theory. A few law journals are indexed in multidisciplinary databases, but the best bang for your buck will be to search LexisNexis Academic for full-text access to many hundreds of law reviews.

Federal Government Information

Yes, they can read your email. Coupled with built-in back doors and data access from the telecoms in return for market access, this makes it difficult for those fighting for freedom from repressive regimes to use social media to advance their cause.http://purl.fdlp.gov/GPO/gpo30493

The Global Online Freedom Act, a bill before the House not likely to pass, would make Tech companies traded on U.S. stock exchanges disclose how they conduct their human rights due diligence to the SEC, including the collection and sharing of personal information with repressive regimes. It would also block the sale of hardware and software that can be used for surveillance, tracking, and blocking Internet activity.http://www.gpo.gov/fdsys/pkg/CHRG-112hhrg71621/pdf/CHRG-112hhrg71621.pdfY 4.F 76/1:112-114

This hearing describes the successes and challenges of using social media in creating political change and what the international community can do to promote an unfettered Internet.http://purl.fdlp.gov/GPO/gpo32364Y 4.SE 2:T 91

Congress discusses Citizens United and its impact on corporate speech with Lawrence Tribe, et al. Among the issues: who decides what a corporation says politically?http://purl.access.gpo.gov/GPO/LPS122596Y 4.J 89/1:111-71

Corporate transparency, voting by all shareholders on political spending, and corporate 'stand by your bill' laws are discussed as possible responses to the Supreme Court decision.http://purl.access.gpo.gov/GPO/LPS125260Y 4.F 49/20:111-109

Legal Information

Freedom of Speech, Press, & Assembly

This is a good primer on the history and development of many of today's First Amendment Issues. For each issue studied, a discussion, case decisions, and conclusion are presented. Every subject is approached from several directions. Includes an intro about philosopher John Stuart Mill and the development of the Supreme Court. 1994. LEGL REF KF 4770 .M39 1994